Better Hearing and Speech Month 2018

During Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM), AG Bell wants to raise awareness about deafness and hearing loss as a rising global health issue as well as the important role of parents when it comes to taking necessary preventative safety measures. These measures include deciding the best hearing technology for their children and helping them learn how to communicate effectively with the use of technology.

Our theme for 2018 is "Communication Access Through Listening and Spoken Language." To celebrate BHSM, AG Bell has produced resources to help you spread the word and we will be sharing stories, videos, social media content and more throughout may.

AG Bell created shareable graphics (English/Spanish) for you to use across social media and online to celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month and to spread the word about the importance of being able to communicate effectively and how the parents of those affected by deafness and hard of hearing play an important role when deciding what direction their children's life will take, the benefits of hearing assistive technology, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, and the need for qualified professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that those born with hearing loss can hear and talk.

Tips for Today

As part of Better Hearing and Speech Month, we want to hear from you! We are seeking tips from parents, individuals with hearing loss and professionals that will be used in AG Bell's "Tips for Today" campaign as we celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month in May.

Join us in celebrating! Submit your own artwork recognizing Better Hearing and Speech Month by drawing a picture and submitting its image to us (You can include yourself in the photo!) or through digital graphic designs of you hearing some of your favorite sounds in a creative fashion as a way to celebrate hearing and speaking!

All photos and digital artwork must be 300 dpi resolution and submitted in .jpeg or .png format to be considered. All items must be submitted to [email protected] for consideration.

Share Your Stories and Videos

We also encourage you to submit your stories (written and video) about your experience with hearing technology and how it helps you to communicate through listening and speaking. To submit videos demonstrating how you use listening and spoken language (i.e., singing, playing an instrument), click here.

All selected tips, artwork, stories and videos will be shared across AG Bell's communications channels throughout May and beyond. In addition, all selected artwork will be displayed at the2018 AG Bell Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona this June.

Additional Resources

AG Bell is committed to equipping you with the tools you need to take action. For your children's hearing health/communication outcome, our website provides you with information about language development, early intervention, hearing technology and more that can guide you in spreading the word as you recognize Better Hearing and Speech Month. Learn more here.

We hope you will join AG Bell and its members in celebrating and spreading the word this May during Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Working globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and talk.

We want all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed.